Creamy Pesto Veggie Penne Gratin
Indulge in this deliciously creamy Pesto Veggie Penne Gratin that perfectly melds tender pasta with vibrant vegetables and a rich pesto sauce. This dish is not only a comforting meal but also a great way to sneak in those essential vegetables. It’s baked to perfection, topped with savory tomatoes and a sprinkle of gooey Parmesan cheese, making it an ideal dish for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. Prepare it ahead of time and let the flavors meld together for an even tastier experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
penne
2 cups (cooked al dente)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
onions
2 small (chopped)
carrots
2 cups (chopped)
cauliflower
2 cups (cut into flowerets)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
pesto sauce
1/3 cup (store-bought or homemade)
eggs
2 (beaten)
cottage cheese
2 cups (large curd)
Italian tomatoes
2 (sliced)
parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for about 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and cauliflower. Season with salt and black pepper. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender yet still retain a slight crunch.
4
Stir in the cooked penne and pesto sauce, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated with the pesto and mixed evenly with the vegetables.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and cottage cheese until well combined. Carefully fold this mixture into the pasta and veggies, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
6
Transfer the mixture into a 2-liter (8-cup) oven-safe dish or divide it equally among four 500-ml (2-cup) oven-safe dishes. Press down gently to compact the mixture.
7
If preparing ahead, cover the dish with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to a day or freeze it for up to two weeks. If frozen, make sure to thaw before cooking and add an additional 10 minutes to the baking time.
8
Layer the top with slices of fresh Italian tomatoes and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbles cheerfully. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Pesto Veggie Penne Gratin?
It is a comforting baked pasta dish that combines penne pasta with sautéed vegetables, a rich pesto sauce, and a creamy egg and cottage cheese mixture, finished with fresh tomatoes and Parmesan.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of penne pasta, which should be cooked al dente.
Which vegetables are included in the gratin?
The dish features 2 cups of chopped carrots, 2 cups of cauliflower flowerets, and 2 small chopped onions.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the gratin.
How long should the penne be boiled?
Cook the penne in salted water for about 10 minutes or until it reaches an al dente texture.
What oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to sauté the onions, carrots, and cauliflower.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the vegetables for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender but still have a slight crunch.
What seasonings are used in the veggie mix?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh black pepper.
How much pesto sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of pesto sauce, which can be either store-bought or homemade.
What creates the creamy base of the gratin?
A mixture of 2 beaten eggs and 2 cups of large curd cottage cheese provides the creamy consistency.
What type of cottage cheese is recommended?
Large curd cottage cheese is specifically recommended for this recipe.
What kind of tomatoes are used for the topping?
The recipe suggests using 2 sliced fresh Italian tomatoes layered on top.
What kind of cheese is sprinkled on top of the gratin?
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the tomatoes before baking.
How long does the gratin need to bake?
The dish should bake for about 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do I know when the dish is finished cooking?
The gratin is ready when the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to one day.
Is this dish suitable for freezing?
Yes, the unbaked mixture can be frozen for up to two weeks.
Do I need to thaw the gratin if it was frozen?
Yes, make sure to thaw the dish before cooking if it has been stored in the freezer.
Does the baking time change if the dish was previously frozen?
Yes, if the dish was frozen and then thawed, you should add an additional 10 minutes to the baking time.
What size baking dish should I use?
Use a 2-liter (8-cup) oven-safe dish or four individual 500-ml (2-cup) dishes.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the Creamy Pesto Veggie Penne Gratin is a vegetarian pasta dish.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be chopped into small pieces before they are sautéed with the other vegetables.
What is the best way to incorporate the egg mixture?
Whisk the eggs and cottage cheese together first, then carefully fold the mixture into the pasta and vegetables.
How should the cauliflower be cut?
The cauliflower should be cut into small flowerets to ensure even cooking.
Do I need to press the mixture into the dish?
Yes, the instructions suggest pressing down gently to compact the mixture once it is transferred to the oven-safe dish.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
While penne is traditional for this gratin, other short tubular pastas or shells could work as substitutes.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
It is recommended to serve the dish hot, immediately after it comes out of the oven.
Should the pasta be rinsed after draining?
The recipe does not require rinsing; simply drain the penne and set it aside until needed.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 small onions, finely chopped.
What makes this dish a 'gratin'?
The combination of a creamy interior and a baked topping of cheese and tomatoes creates the classic gratin style.